Restaurant Epic..does it live up to its name?

Friday, February 5, 2010

Restaurant Epic has been around since 2007 but sorry to say, I did not try Restaurant Epic until recently. The Epic in the name is an acronym for Euro-Asian Pacific International Cuisine. If you read past Internet reviews, you would not know what to believe because the reviews are contradictory. Here’s my impression.

One of my good friends took me to Restaurant Epic this past Tuesday for lunch at 1 p.m. The restaurant was about 50% full when we arrived. We were seated in a table for two across the bar near the entrance.

TB ordered two sushi appetizer rolls, the California roll and spicy ahi. They both were yummy and filling. The California roll is a little different in that the crab meat mixture is on top of each sushi piece. I ate till I was full and we still had sushi left and our entrees hadn’t arrived.

TB ordered the Saikyo Miso Butterfish and I ordered the Boneless Short Ribs ($14). The butterfish was tasty and flaky but not melt in your mouth. It was good but not great. It came with furikake rice and ogo. We both passed on the ogo.

I liked my short ribs which came with mashed potatoes. It was very tender and flavorful. Portions at Restaurant Epic are ample.

I took home the sushi, short ribs, and potatoes and ate the remaining sushi for dinner and it was still very good. Hubby tried the California roll and liked that.

Our waitress was very attentive and the food came out in a timely fashion. Please note that the restaurant was closing but no one hurried us out. Would I go back? Yes, I would.

I would like to try the happy hour which is from Monday to Friday starting at 4:30 p.m. During happy hour, appetizer prices are reduced. Cost for the California roll and spicy ahi is $5. However, stay away from the First Friday of each month. Restaurant Epic probably would be packed.

To answer the question if Restaurant Epic lives up to its name. I would say yes in that it is indeed Euro-Asian Pacific International Cuisine. Is the food great? Not quite, but it is good.

Restaurant Epic is located at 1131 Nuuanu Avenue. Street parking is difficult to find so park in the municipal parking that is underground. Call 587-7877 for reservations.